Beyond the Sea

CHAPTER ONE: KARA

Reepicheep perched on Kara's shoulder and sniffed the air, his tiny nose wriggling. "Do you smell that?" he asked her eagerly.

Kara said she did, and leaned her hands against the ship's railing. The Dawn Treader was beautiful, Caspian's latest pride and joy, (besides her sister, Kara thought with a sly smile; those two would be married before long). It was a perfect day, with a fair wind on their side and a blue sky whispered over with soft, faint clouds. The wind smelled like hope and possibility, and she knew that was what Reep meant.

The breeze tossed her hair back. At nineteen now, Kara did not look all that different from three years ago; she was a couple of inches taller, but now she was shorter than Annaliese, who had shot up during their first year of reigning. Kara's hair, reaching her waist now, was much like Annaliese's, but more wavy-curls rather than ringlets. She had never needed her glasses in all of her time spent in Narnia, but she still kept them, so she wouldn't forget where she grew up.

Kara's hand rested on the hilt of her sword, which was always sheathed and tied to her waist when she wasn't using it. She and this sword were fairly well-acquainted by now, particularly after the year that Narnia was at war with the giants. She shook her head, forcing her thoughts away from that particular time. She didn't like thinking about it, for she did not enjoy war. It was only her stubborn and loyal nature that were the cause for her Aslan-given title of Warrior of the North; Caspian had reported that there were many stories amongst the people living in the further parts of Narnia, stories of a queen, a great female warrior, who fought silent as a shadow and swift as a jaguar.

Kara always laughed at that notion, because, though she was by now deadly when she had a sword in hand, she was also the type of girl who cried when a sick dog had to be put down. The year Narnia battled the giants was one of the worst she had ever experienced; necessary, but she had nightmares for months after. So she'd done something she had not done for years: she started singing again. And, according to Annaliese (the only one who had actually heard her) her voice rivaled a dryad's. Personally, Kara thought that was a bit of an exaggeration.

Kara smoothed her shirt down and adjusted her belt again. Reepicheep was perched on the railing, watching the water, so Kara said, "I'll see you later, Reep," and headed for the stern for a bit of alone time. She crossed the deck in strong, sturdy boots, and nodded to each sailor she passed, who bowed in reply if they could and smiled back when they couldn't.

At the stern, she faced the full blast of the wind head on, grinning as it blew her hair back. They had been at sea for a month searching for the seven lords, and it had already been eventful; first they'd made a stop at Galma, where they enjoyed some relaxation and a good-natured tournament with the Duke of Galma. The duke had introduced his daughter to Caspian, who, understanding the duke's intentions, informed him that he was already betrothed to Queen Annaliese, Peacekeeper of the South.

They'd stayed there a week and then sailed to Terebinthia, where, unfortunately, they could not stay long because of the horrible sickness running rampant through that land. Kara and Annaliese had wanted desperately to help them but were helpless to do anything against the disease. They prayed for Aslan's intervention, and sailed on. On their way to the seven Isles, they'd encountered a pirate who tried to attack them but was hilariously overcome by the fully-armed Dawn Treader. Kara had barely had to do any fighting herself.

A little over a week ago, they'd docked at Redhaven, located on one of the islands of the seven isles, and enjoyed the best feast they'd had since the voyage began. Now they were sailing on to the Lone Islands and whatever lay beyond that.

Kara's hand moved from her sword and to the other object she always had tucked into her belt.

Edmund's torch.